Elements and Performance Criteria

The Range of Variables explains the contexts within which the performance and knowledge requirements of this standard may be assessed. The scope of variables chosen in training and assessment requirements may depend on the work situations available.

What livestock are covered by this unit?
Livestock covered by this unit include pigs, poultry, shedded sheep, feedlot and dairy cattle.

What actions could be taken to eliminate or minimise OHS risk?
The range of actions are both systematic and at an operational level. These are listed below:

What personal protective equipment may be relevant to this standard?
Boots, hats/hard hat, overalls, gloves, protective eyewear, hearing protection, respirator or face mask, and sun protection (sun hat, sun screen).

What assistance may be provided?
Assistance may be provided in the way of loading and unloading bagged stockfeed or bulk feedstuffs into silos and other storage bins.

How might automatic/computerised feeders be checked?
The computer printout should be obtained and scanned for information about the feed distribution system. Data should be compared to known parameters for successfully operating system.

What records may be kept?
Daily feeding and watering records, basic reports to supervisor of abnormalities or irregularities affecting the feeding of livestock, such as broken or damaged cages, pens, feeders, watering systems, heaters, lights and fans.

What livestock are covered by this unit?
Livestock covered by this unit include pigs, poultry, shedded sheep, feedlot and dairy cattle.

What actions could be taken to eliminate or minimise OHS risk?
The range of actions are both systematic and at an operational level. These are listed below:

What personal protective equipment may be relevant to this standard?
Boots, hats/hard hat, overalls, gloves, protective eyewear, hearing protection, respirator or face mask, and sun protection (sun hat, sun screen).

What assistance may be provided?
Assistance may be provided in the way of loading and unloading bagged stockfeed or bulk feedstuffs into silos and other storage bins.

How might automatic/computerised feeders be checked?
The computer printout should be obtained and scanned for information about the feed distribution system. Data should be compared to known parameters for successfully operating system.

What records may be kept?
Daily feeding and watering records, basic reports to supervisor of abnormalities or irregularities affecting the feeding of livestock, such as broken or damaged cages, pens, feeders, watering systems, heaters, lights and fans.

What evidence is required to demonstrate competence for this standard as a whole?
Competence in feeding animals in an intensive production system requires evidence that feed and water provision for animals is completed according to enterprise standard operating procedures.
The skills and knowledge required to feed animals in an intensive production system must be transferable to a different work environment. For example, across a range of breeds and classes, as well as in a variety of shed types and feeding systems.
What specific knowledge is needed to achieve the performance criteria?

Knowledge and understanding are essential to apply this standard in the workplace, to transfer the skills to other contexts, and to deal with unplanned events. The knowledge requirements for this competency standard are listed below:

silo operations, tractors and associated feeding machinery and equipment
cleaning and storage of machinery, equipment and materials
enterprise recording and reporting procedures
grains, meals, pelleted and liquid feeds
evidence of spoilage and handling spoilt feeds.

What specific skills are needed to achieve the performance criteria?

To achieve the performance criteria, appropriate literacy and numeracy levels as well as some complementary skills are required. These include the ability to:

identify a range of feed types and qualities
identify grain contaminants
recognise and rectify minor operational faults
read and interpret manufacturers specifications, work and maintenance plans, and Material Safety Data Sheets
interpret and apply task instructions, communicate with work team and supervisor, and record and report faults, workplace hazards and accidents
complete records and documentation of feed use and volumes for the shed
use machinery and equipment associated with providing feed.

Are there other competency standards that could be assessed with this one?
This competency standard

Essential Assessment Information
There is essential information about

What specific knowledge is needed to achieve the performance criteria?

Knowledge and understanding are essential to apply this standard in the workplace, to transfer the skills to other contexts, and to deal with unplanned events. The knowledge requirements for this competency standard are listed below:

silo operations, tractors and associated feeding machinery and equipment
cleaning and storage of machinery, equipment and materials
enterprise recording and reporting procedures
grains, meals, pelleted and liquid feeds
evidence of spoilage and handling spoilt feeds.

What specific skills are needed to achieve the performance criteria?

To achieve the performance criteria, appropriate literacy and numeracy levels as well as some complementary skills are required. These include the ability to:

identify a range of feed types and qualities
identify grain contaminants
recognise and rectify minor operational faults
read and interpret manufacturers specifications, work and maintenance plans, and Material Safety Data Sheets
interpret and apply task instructions, communicate with work team and supervisor, and record and report faults, workplace hazards and accidents
complete records and documentation of feed use and volumes for the shed
use machinery and equipment associated with providing feed.

Are there other competency standards that could be assessed with this one?
This competency standard

Essential Assessment Information
There is essential information about

There are a number of processes that are learnt throughout work and life, which are required in all jobs. They are fundamental processes and generally transferable to other work functions. Some of these are covered by the key competencies, although others may be added. The questions below highlight how these processes are applied in this competency standard. Following each question a number in brackets indicates the level to which the key competency needs to be demonstrated where 0 = not required, 1 = perform the process, 2 = perform and administer the process and 3 = perform, administer and design the process.
Communicating ideas and information
Communicating with supervisor regarding daily routines. (1)

Communicating ideas and information
Communicating with supervisor regarding daily routines. (1)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Collecting, analysing and organising information in preparing to measure, weight and mix feed. (1)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Collecting, analysing and organising information in preparing to measure, weight and mix feed. (1)

Planning and organising activities
In organising daily work routines for feeding and watering stock. (1)

Planning and organising activities
In organising daily work routines for feeding and watering stock. (1)

Working with others and in teams
Working with teams and others in assisting with the movement of ingredients. (1)

Working with others and in teams
Working with teams and others in assisting with the movement of ingredients. (1)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Using mathematical ideas and techniques in calculating feed requirements. (1)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Using mathematical ideas and techniques in calculating feed requirements. (1)

Solving problems
Solving problems with regard to distributing feed and checking watering systems. (1)

Solving problems
Solving problems with regard to distributing feed and checking watering systems. (1)

Using technology
Using technology in operating feeding and watering machinery and equipment. (1)

Using technology
Using technology in operating feeding and watering machinery and equipment. (1)